Bastrop duo bound for next level

Wide receiver Jay Wilson signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Central Arkansas, while defensive lineman Cray Robinson is headed to Arkansas Baptist College.

Marq Mitcham

Bastrop defensive lineman Cray Robinson will continue his football career at Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock.

Robinson and wide receiver Jay Wilson, who signed with Central Arkansas, were recognized during a National Signing Day ceremony Wednesday afternoon in the school library. While Wilson committed to UCA earlier this week, Robinson made his decision on Tuesday night.

"Arkansas Baptist felt like home and it's not too far from home," said the 5-11, 240-pound Robinson, who visited the campus last weekend.

Robinson said he talked to several schools, but Arkansas Baptist showed the most interest.

Though confident he would eventually have the opportunity to play at the next level, Arkansas Baptist wasn't on Robinson's radar until the 11th hour.

"I had never even heard of Arkansas Baptist until some of my friends went there last summer," Robinson admitted.

Robinson plans to enroll in school this summer where he will join former Rams Kegrick Madison, Demontrell Lollie and Xavier Robinson.

Although Arkansas Baptist is a four-year school, the Buffalos' athletic teams compete at the junior college level.Robinson's goal is to earn a starting job next season.

"The coach (Richard Wilson) told me that everything's open on the defensive line," Robinson said. "I feel like I can earn a starting job and sign with a four-year school in two years — that's my motivation."

An aspiring police officer, Robinson plans to major in criminal justice.

Robinson was a three-year letterman for the Rams and a full-time starter over the past two seasons.

"Cray came in here when I was an assistant three years ago and played his first year," Bastrop coach Thomas Bachman recalled. "With all the friendly faces at Arkansas Baptist, I think he will be able to find a comfort zone.

Hopefully, the guys from Bastrop will get their degrees, have good athletic careers there and we can do it all again two years from now.

"The main thing is they are able to get into school. You can't play football forever. Even if you play for 20 years, you're still 40 and you're going to have to be able to get a job. Education is the key to getting a job."

A second-team All-District 2-4A selection, Robinson logged 39 tackles, seven tackles for loss and three forced fumbles as a senior.

As a junior, Robinson was credited with 36 stops, four tackles for negative yardage, 1.5 sacks and caused two fumbles.

A three-year starter, Wilson's final career line includes 207 receptions for 3,270 yards and 45 touchdowns. A first-team All-State honoree as a senior, Wilson caught 79 passes for 1,343 yards and 21 touchdowns in helping the Rams reach the second round of the state playoffs last season. He also returned a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns over the course of his career.

Coming off of a 9-3 season, which ended with a 24-16 loss to eventual national runner-up Georgia Southern in the second round of the FCS playoffs, UCA signed 23 players on Wednesday. Wilson was among the Bears' four wide receiver signees.

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